Electrode arrangement for nerve stimulation and methods of treating disorders

• US 20070142889A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Carbunaru, Rafael, Whitehurst, Todd, Kuzma, Janusz, Jaax, Kirsten
• Granted Patent: US 7,610,103 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

A stimulator arrangement for stimulating nerves or other tissue includes an electrode arrangement having a substrate and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. The substrate is configured and arranged to be in a curved state prior to implantation into the body and to flatten with exposure to the body after implantation. The stimulator arrangement may also include a stimulator unit coupled to the electrode arrangement. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Claims

1. A stimulator arrangement for a nerve in a body of a patient, comprising:

an electrode arrangement having a substrate and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is configured and arranged to be in a curved state prior to implantation into the body and to flatten with exposure to the body after implantation.

2. The stimulator arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a stimulator unit coupled to the electrodes of the electrode arrangement.

3. The stimulator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the electrode arrangement further comprises a plurality of posts that extend from the substrate and into tissue of the body.

4. The stimulator arrangement of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

5. The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein all of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

6. The stimulator arrangement of claim 3, wherein the plurality of posts are configured and arranged to lie next to the substrate prior to implantation and to extend away from the substrate after implantation.

7. The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed at tips of the posts.

8. The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least two electrodes are disposed on each of at least a portion of the plurality of posts.

9. The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed as rings around the posts.

10. The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed on only one side of the posts.

11. A method of stimulating a nerve, the method comprising:

disposing an electrode arrangement around at least a portion of a neurovascular bundle comprising the nerve;

at least partially flattening the electrode arrangement and neurovascular bundle; and

providing electrical signals to electrodes of the electrode arrangement to stimulate the nerve.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrode arrangement further comprises posts extending from a substrate of the electrode arrangement into the neurovascular bundle.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising repositioning posts disposed on the electrode arrangement from laying next to a substrate of the electrode arrangement to extending away from the electrode arrangement.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein providing electrical signals comprising coupling the electrode arrangement to a stimulator unit.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising implanting the stimulator unit into the body.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the nerve comprises the cavernous nerve and disposing an electrode arrangement comprises disposing the electrode arrangement adjacent the cavernous nerve.

17. A nerve stimulator, comprising:

a stimulator unit;

an electrode arrangement for disposition adjacent the nerve, wherein the electrode arrangement comprises a substrate and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate and the substrate is configured and arranged to be in a curved state prior to implantation into the body and to flatten with exposure to the body after implantation; and

a lead coupling the stimulator unit to the electrodes of the electrode arrangement.

18. The nerve stimulator of claim 17, wherein the electrode arrangement further comprises a plurality of posts formed on the substrate.

19. The nerve stimulator of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

20. The nerve stimulator of claim 17, wherein the nerve stimulator defines a lumen for providing a drug to tissue adjacent the electrode arrangement.